2/24 – Every Friday is Cyber Café Day at ACI Columbia from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Digital Media students networking and being creative…… Students are encouraged to bring a friend!
2/22 – Dental Health Event at ACI Braintree (all day event) – Healthy tips, healthy snacks and kid-friendly activities! Coloring contest for free Dental Goodie bag!
2/25 – Winter Open House at ACI Framingham – Learn about Financial Aid available for those who qualify, explore career placement opportunities, meet our Instructors, tour our classrooms and labs!
Network administrators serve a vital role in maintaining system efficiency among an organization. They design, install and support an organization’s computer systems. Network Administrators ensure that all components of an organization’s computer system work together properly.
The role of a network administrator may vary from company to company, but the majority of network administrators are responsible for network address assignment, troubleshooting, upgrades and installs, security, and configuring and managing the existing network. Network Administrators’ responsibilities also include maintenance of network facilities in individual machines, such as setting up personal computers, printers and drivers.
Most network administrators, like other IT professionals, work in an office environment. Some of the job duties are preformed alone; however, network administrators also work with users who are experience difficulties. Although maintaining a network can be a routine task, the job can also be hectic when problems arise or the network crashes.
Network administrators must able to handle highly confidential material, communicate effectively, work well alone and in a team setting, and possess strong analytical skills. ACI’s PC and Network Administration program will help you build a variety of useful professional skills and prepare you for certifications that include A+, Network+, Linux+ and Microsoft MCITP Server certification. American Career Institute’s PC and Network Administration program is offered at the following locations: Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield and Woburn.
Who can forget placing that bulky, grey Nintendo cartridge into the game console in order to play your favorite video game? Once or twice you probably believed that when the Nintendo game froze, pulling the cartridge out and blowing on it really fixed the problem. Nintendo started as a small Japanese business created by Fusajiro Yamauchi in 1898. The first Nintendo game was made in 1978 and in 1985 the Nintendo Entertainment System became an instant hit.
Since their humble beginning, Nintendo released numerous products including: the Game Boy, Super Nintendo Entertainment Systems, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Cube, Nintendo DS, Wii and Nintendo 3DS. The infographic “What you didn’t know about Nintendo”, highlights Nintendo’s history and accomplishments.
If you have an interest in technology, video game design and 3-D animation, America Career Institute’s Digital Gaming Design program is just for you! Learn how to create three-dimensional worlds with animated characters for today’s most popular gaming platforms.
Network security specialists help structure, install and manage information security systems. They work to protect information and prevent data loss. Network security specialists monitor and respond to security breaches.
Threats to network security include:
Viruses : Computer programs written by devious programmers and designed to replicate themselves and infect computers when triggered by a specific event Trojan horse programs : Delivery vehicles for destructive code, which appear to be harmless or useful software programs such as games
Malware: Short for malicious software, is software designed to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. (Spyware, Adware Vandals : Software applications or applets that cause destruction Hacker Attacks : Hackers find weaknesses in an established system and exploit them. Attacks can include: reconnaissance attacks (information-gathering activities to collect data that is later used to compromise networks); access attacks (which exploit network vulnerabilities in order to gain entry to e-mail, databases, or the corporate network); and denial-of-service attacks (which prevent access to part or all of a computer system) Data interception : Involves eavesdropping on communications or altering data packets being transmitted Social engineering : Obtaining confidential network security information through nontechnical means, such as posing as a technical support person and asking for people’s passwords
Identity Theft: Obtaining key pieces of personal information, such as Social Security or driver’s license numbers, in order to impersonate someone else.
Network security specialists utilize a variety of tools to protect the network. In order to keep the network secure, software must be constantly updated and managed to protect against emerging threats. However, it is important to understand that there is not a single solution that will protect a network from a variety of attacks. All of the tools work together and ensure multiple layers of security.
Network security tools include:
Company security policies: Policy statements that outline users’ roles and responsibilities with regard to security. The policy should outline expectations regarding the use and administration of corporate IT assets.
Antivirus software packages: Protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious software. Secure network infrastructure: Dedicated network security hardware and software tools such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems provide protection for all areas of the network and enable secure connections. Virtual private networks: These networks provide secure remote access and data encryption between two different computers on a network. Identity services: These services help to identify users and control their activities and transactions on the network. Services include passwords, digital certificates, and digital authentication keys. Encryption: Encryption ensures that messages cannot be intercepted or read by anyone other than the authorized recipient.
American Career Institute offers a PC and Network Design with Security program at the ACI location in Baltimore, Braintree, Cambridge, Columbia, Framingham, Springfield or Woburn.
When Steve Jobs passed away in October everyone who shares a passion for technology and computers felt a sense of grief. America lost an extreme visionary who revolutionized the way we look at the personal computer. Throughout Steve Jobs’ career he experienced highs and lows, but each experience taught him a life lesson. Read about the lessons he learned in the article “Steve Jobs: 20 Life Lessons” written by Lance Ulanoff.
Steve Jobs not only left his mark on history, but he also left us with advice about life and pursuing the career of your dreams. Throughout four decades, Steve Job shaped his own career and became a brilliant entrepreneur. He continues to inspire those looking to begin their career in the technology field such as Information Technology, PC & Network Design, and Computer Programming. The legacy Steve Jobs left behind only reiterates the fact with hard work, determination and dedication the career of your dreams can become reality.
With the New Year fast approaching, it is that time when people begin pondering their New Year’s resolution and the changes they wish to make in the upcoming year. It is also a great time to outline career goals and create a plan of action in order to accomplish those goals.
Setting SMART goals will help you reach attainable goals. When establishing career goals ensure that each goal meets the following criteria:
S – specific, significant, stretching
M – measurable, meaningful, motivational
A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T – time-based, timely, tangible, trackable
Setting SMART goals brings you one step closer towards success.
“It’s time for me — and you — to take a lesson from the big brands, a lesson that’s true for anyone who’s interested in what it takes to stand out and prosper in the new world of work. Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.”
Personal branding combined with how others perceive you can be an important component in building a successful career. It is evident that landing your dream job requires more than simply submitting a resume. Take time to develop your personal brand. When defining your personal brand ask yourself a couple questions:
What are you known for?
What is your expertise?
What do others think of you, what is the key value that comes to their mind?
After creating your personal brand don’t stop there. Take time to promote and leverage your personal brand. For more ideas on how you can promote your personal brand read 7 Key Ways to Promote Your Personal Brand . Tom Peters concluded his article writing, “It’s this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else.”
Over twenty years ago a revolution took place that changed the way that we live today. Tim Berners-Lee developed a tool to make the web a creative space to share and edit information and named it the World Wide Web. Berners-Lee connected hypertext with the Internet and personal computers. Hypertext enabled users to easily browse web pages using links. Berners-Lee developed a tool to make the web a creative space to share and edit information and named it the World Wide Web.
It can be hard for many of us who use the Internet everyday to imagine a time when websites looked like a series of text documents connected by inline links. Web design has come a long way since the first website was published over twenty years ago. The web continues to grow and today there are millions of websites, none of which existed 20 years ago.
Learn exactly how far web design has come from the early days when pages of text with hyperlinks ruled the web by viewing The Evolution of Web Design infographic.
Do you have an interest in web design? The Graphics and Web Design program at American Career Institute can prepare students for some of today’s most in-demand jobs such as graphic designer, computer artist and web designer. Secure your future today and contact us for more information about enrolling in Graphics & Web Design at American Career Institute!
Have you ever left a job interview thinking “I wish I would have said that” or “I wish I would have been more prepared”? Do your homework before an interview. Spend time researching the company and show your knowledge about the company when answering questions. In a survey taken by 2000 bosses, 47% responded that the most common interview mistake job seekers make during an interview is having little or no knowledge about the company[1].
It is inevitable that your interviewer will ask, “Do you have any questions?” Not asking questions shows a lack of interest and preparation. Come prepared with questions to ask. Remember an interview is a two-way street. It is important to make sure that the company is one that you would like to work for. The more prepared you are for an interview, the less nervous you will be. Confidence speaks volumes to a potential employer.
American Career Institute provides you with the skills you need for your job search. As an American Career Institute student or graduate take advantage of ACI’s career assistance benefits. A career service manager will work with you on your interview skills, resume, job search and more.
[1]What You Wish You’d Known Before the Job Interview by David Schepp
Dental assistants play a vital role in dentist offices. Not only do dental assistants provide support to dentists and other members of the dental team, but they also play the important role of promoting good health. Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. One of their duties includes instructing patients on general oral healthcare such as how to brush and floss correctly to prevent poor dental hygiene. Bad dental hygiene doesn’t just affect your teeth; it can cause problems that can harm your entire body. Did you know that your teeth and gums can show signs of your overall health including heart disease to osteoporosis? The infographic below displays how gum disease, gingivitis and tooth abscesses can cause major health problems.
Are you interested in a career as a dental assistant? The dental assisting program at American Career Institute provides hands-on training to help you prepare for a successful career. Enroll today in the Dental Assisting program at any of the following locations: Braintree, Cambridge, Framingham, Springfield and Woburn.
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